The Central Crime Branch (CCB) sleuths who busted a cricket betting racket, apprehended two bookies who were allegedly betting for the upcoming finals of the Champions League T20, on Saturday.

While Goutham Kumar (36) was arrested from his shop in Darzipet, few yards away from the Ulsoorgate police station, the other bookie, Suresh Kumar (39) was caught from his office in Nagarathpet. Both of the areas under the jurisdiction of the CCB Chickpet.

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Acting on a tip-off, a team led by Assistant Commissioner of Police BN Nyamegowda raided both places and nabbed the bookies. The officials have seized a TV, mobile phone, a laptop and cash amounting to Rs 2.5 lakh.

On the huntThe ACP asserted that for several years now, both bookies have been part of the betting racket in association with the notorious kingpin Harish, who the police are on a lookout.

Nyamegowda said, "The accused usually contacted clients over the phone and placed bets according to the progress of the game, they also placed bets on every ball. The turnout usually is worth crores, but this time we managed to confiscate only Rs 2.5 lakh since the betting transactions took place over the phone based on mutual trust. We have now launched a manhunt and efforts to nab Harish are in progress."

Nyamegowda added that the bookies were earlier Harish's clients, who bet regularly and later set up their own business.